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Thiago and Rodrigo hail Spain's progress

Thiago Alcántara said that Spain were the "complete" team after a 3-0 semi-final victory over Norway featuring a decisive breakthrough goal by a happy Rodrigo.

Thiago and Rodrigo hail Spain's progress
Thiago and Rodrigo hail Spain's progress ©UEFA.com

Thiago Alcántara said that Spain were the "complete" team after they reached a second successive UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a 3-0 victory over Norway. While skipper Thiago added that their desire to win the title is just as strong as it was two years ago in Denmark, striker Rodrigo reflected on the timing of his first goal in the tournament which helped calm Spanish nerves just before half-time.

Thiago Alcántara, Spain midfielder
I think our minds were really focused on this game and getting to the final, the second one running for Spain, and I think we deserve to be in it. I've been saying since the first day that this is a very complete team. In every area of the pitch we're very well set up and focused and we have to keep this going to become champions.

It's a different tournament and we have the same hunger as if it was the first one – of course, for the majority of the lads it is [their first]. So we're going to go out with the same determination and hunger to win it.

Rodrigo, Spain forward
It was a good result. We got the goals in the end and I think we coped with the pressure in the second half, although the most important thing is the win and the fact we're in the final, which was our goal.

It's always important to score. There are key moments and it was a very good goal to score as it took some of the pressure off. It also meant they had to come forward a bit in the second half which gave us more space. They had no option but to come forward – it's a semi-final and they had to try to win the game. Norway played really well in the second half but we're happy with the win.

Marc Bartra, Spain defender
For the first goal I went in for a high ball with a lot of determination. It looked like the keeper was coming and when I saw the central defender I just gave it everything and managed to get a touch and Rodrigo scored so I'm delighted with it. All I was trying to do was get a touch to the ball to keep it in the box – it was almost accidental that it dropped and Rodrigo, with his instinct, managed to score.

Looking towards the final, it's very important that all the players are feeling confident, that they're all scoring goals and so it's good for Rodrigo. We know [Álvaro] Morata's been getting goals; Rodrigo has maybe not had so many chances up to now but against Norway he gave everything and managed to score.

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